Let's Talk About Writing

Overcoming Writer's block : A guide for Frustrated Writers

Imagine the scenario: you've been working on your latest writing project, and for the past few weeks, the words have been flowing out of you as if by some magical power materializing in your mind. You feel as though you're the next Sarah J. Maas or any other author you might admire. But suddenly, your creativity comes to a halt. Your thoughts and ideas seem to be held captive, unable to express themselves. You find yourself staring at your document, bewildered, asking yourself: "Why has my motivation slipped away when everything was going so well?"

This, my friend, is what's commonly referred to as writer's block. If you've ever experienced this phenomenon, you're not alone. I've spent the week speaking with other writers about it, and only one of them claimed to have never experienced it. Even the most experienced writers face this challenge, as revealed in interviews or written accounts.

Although writer's block is considered a normal part of the writing process, it can still be anxiety-provoking and depressing to lose control over your creativity. That's why I believe it's worth exploring the phenomenon to understand its underlying causes and to discuss possible solutions to overcome it.

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Breaking free starts with an introspection
Inspiration is a mercurial thing, and when it disappears, it does so for a reason. Therefore, the first step towards remedying writer's block is to identify the underlying causes. Attempting to solve a problem without a thorough understanding of its origin can be a futile and frustrating endeavor.

If you find yourself in the throes of writer's block, I implore you to engage in a process of introspection. Ask yourself: "What is the source of my discomfort?" While seemingly straightforward, this inquiry may require significant effort to answer truthfully. In some instances, the solution may demand a painful admission, such as acknowledging dissatisfaction with one's own text and accepting the need to start anew. Yet, honest self-evaluation is paramount to overcoming writer's block and to improving as a writer.

If you are unsure where to commence your introspection, I recommend perusing the remainder of this article, as I will provide specific recommendations for exploring potential causes of writer's block. By doing so, you will equip yourself with the tools necessary to overcome this common affliction and unleash your creative potential once again.

Unpacking the Root Causes
Over the course of the week, I have conversed with authors about their experiences with writer's block and the strategies they have employed to overcome it. While I have compiled a summary of these strategies for your benefit, it's important to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. Each writer's experience with writer's block is unique, and what proves effective for one individual may not necessarily be as helpful for another.

Perfectionist
The perfectionist is when you impose excessive pressure on yourself, feeling the need to produce a flawless work. While this approach stems from good intentions, it often results in writer's block because you become trapped in a loop of rereading, unable to escape your need for excellence. The risk is that your novel progresses so slowly that you lose motivation, and the finish line seems unreachable, even after three years of work. Worse still, after repeatedly reworking the same segments of the text, your writing skills and perspective evolve. By the time you reach the midpoint of the novel, you may realize that you no longer like the beginning.

I implore you to release the pressure!

Honestly, a perfect text does not exist. If you believe that you will only finish your novel when it reaches perfection, then I must tell you that you will never finish it. Writing a book ends when you are so tired of seeing it that you feel almost physical pain. But even at that point, objectively, it could still be improved. So, relax, accept the imperfect nature of your story, and resume your progress. At worst, you can always do a new draft once the story is finished to fix any problems you've left behind!